ESWT’nin erektil disfonksiyon tedavisindeki rolü

Oral phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE 5) inhibitors, vacuum pumps, intraurethral drugs, intracavernosal injections, and penile prosthesis implantation are currently accepted treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED). In 2010, low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT) was introduced by Vardi as a noninvasive method for the treatment of ED. Since the important mechanism of ED is vascular endothelial dysfunction and Li-ESWT can stimulate the expression of angiogenesis-related factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to support vascular regeneration, the use of Li-ESWT in the treatment of ED is becoming widespread. Currently, there is no standard treatment protocol for Li-ESWT. Li-ESWT appears to have the potential to be an option for the treatment of ED, particularly in patients who respond poorly to oral medications and do not want more invasive procedures. On the other hand, further studies are needed to understand which patients may benefit most from the treatment and which protocol will produce the best results. Keywords: low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy, erectile dysfunction, international index of erectile function-5 score